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24: Securities Regulation

  • Page ID
    11167
    • Anonymous
    • LibreTexts

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    Learning Objectives

    After reading this chapter, you should understand the following:

    • The nature of securities regulation
    • The Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
    • Liability under securities laws
    • What insider trading is and why it’s unlawful
    • Civil and criminal penalties for violations of securities laws

    Both the registration and the trading of securities are highly regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A violation of a securities law can lead to severe criminal and civil penalties. But first we examine the question, Why is there a need for securities regulation?

    • 24.1: The Nature of Securities Regulation
      This page outlines the SEC's regulatory mission to protect investors through transparency, combat fraud, and enforce compliance with securities laws. It highlights key legislation: the Securities Act of 1933 mandates full disclosure before public offerings, while the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ensures ongoing disclosure in secondary markets. Additionally, it discusses the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010, which strengthened financial stability and accountability post-2008 recession.
    • 24.2: Liability under Securities Law
      This page discusses major legal frameworks impacting corporate behavior, including the FCPA, insider trading regulations, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The FCPA prohibits bribing foreign officials and mandates truthful financial reporting. Insider trading laws penalize insiders trading on nonpublic information, with significant rulings by the Supreme Court refining liability standards.
    • 24.3: Cases
      This page summarizes two crucial court cases on securities law. In Reves v. Ernst & Young, the Supreme Court classified demand notes as securities, evaluating factors such as public expectations. In Dirks v. SEC, it ruled that a tippee only has fiduciary duties if an insider breaches them for personal gain. Additionally, in Basic Inc v.
    • 24.4: Summary and Exercises
      This page outlines key federal securities regulations, including the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which mandate risk disclosure and SEC registration for corporate securities. It also covers the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and insider trading laws, detailing penalties for violations such as fines and imprisonment. Additionally, it presents various legal scenarios that demonstrate the application of these laws across different contexts.


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